C: Natural Resources
FOLDER: Nature Preserve Master Plan
FILE: Zone Definitions - Revised
PRC Endorsed 4/8/03
NATURE PRESERVE
Definition:
High quality natural areas that preserve the biodiversity of the region by
contributing to the long-term viability of plant and animal populations,
natural communities and/or entire ecosystems. Acquisition or designation
of sites of any size is authorized where warranted to protect a significant
ecological, geological, or archaeological resource.
Objectives:
Nature preserves, as designated by the Mecklenburg Board of County
Commissioners, are declared to be at their highest and best use for public
benefit by serving one or more of the following public purposes:
(1) Contribute to the growth and development of public understanding of
and empathy for natural systems, and the consequent development of
public understanding for the interdependence of all forms of life and
vital dependence of the health of the human community on the health
of other natural communities.
(2) Provide sites for scientific research and examples for scientific
comparison with more disturbed sites.
(3) Provide sites for educational activities and places where people may
observe natural biotic resources and environmental systems.
(4) Provide habitat for the survival of rare plants or animals or natural
communities or other significant biological features.
(5) Provide opportunities for contemplation or outdoor recreation
compatible with the protection of the natural area.
(6) Provide places for the preservation of natural beauty or unique or
unusual natural features.
(7) Provide large, contiguous undeveloped natural lands in perpetuity for
the purpose of conserving open space and creating wildlife corridors
within densely developing urban areas.
(8) Provide small habitat areas within development that can act as
"stepping stones" to habitat corridors or between larger protected
habitat areas.
(9) Designation of 1,000 acres each shall be the minimum goal for Latta
Plantation, McDowell and Reedy Creek Nature Preserves.
NATURAL ZONE
Definition:
Areas exhibiting significant biological diversity and
ecological processes.
Hierarchy Level:
1
Management Priority:
Conservation and restoration of natural communities and
the protection of plant and animal species.
Protected Natural Area
Definition:
Natural heritage sites (as documented in the
Mecklenburg County Natural Heritage Inventory)
and other fragile areas whose natural features and/or
ecological processes are subject to serious
impairment if opened to the public.
Hierarchy Level:
1A
Management Priorities:
(#1) Site monitoring, scientific study and
management to preserve and/or restore the area's
ecological integrity and natural heritage values.
Improvements:
Improvements must be compatible with the
preservation, interpretation and management of
ecological features and natural resources.
No new trails shall be permitted.
Existing pedestrian trails (natural surface only).
Existing equestrian trails (natural surface or stone
surface).
Service roads (natural surface or stone surface) for
management purposes.
Improvements shall be restricted to the smallest
area necessary to accommodate required
development and use and to minimize
environmental impacts.
Public Access:
Restricted. Limited to guided tours by DNR staff,
except where trails accessible to the public currently
exist, and to scientific researchers working under
special permit issued by DNR.
2
Outstanding Natural Area
Definition:
Areas exhibiting a significant diversity of flora,
fauna, natural communities, rare species, geologic
features and/or archaeological resources. This
designation shall also include shoreline buffers
(minimum 100 feet wide) along the Catawba River
and regulated floodplains along tributary streams.
Hierarchy Level:
1B
Management Priorities:
(#1) Site monitoring, scientific study and
management to preserve and/or restore the area's
biological diversity.
(#2) Provide public access that will not adversely
affect the integrity of the natural features and
ecological processes.
Improvements:
Improvements must be compatible with the
preservation, interpretation and management of
ecological features and natural resources.
Pedestrian trails (natural surface, stone surface or
approved stream/wetland crossings) and interpretive
signage for educational and passive recreational
purposes.
Existing equestrian trails (natural surface or stone
surface).
Service roads (natural surface or stone surface) for
management purposes.
Improvements shall be restricted to the smallest
area necessary to accommodate required
development and use and to minimize
environmental impacts.
Public Access:
Restricted to trails.
Natural Area
Definition:
Areas that provide general plant and wildlife habitat
and buffer sites of higher ecological significance
from adjacent land uses.
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Hierarchy Level:
1C
Management Priority:
(#1) Site monitoring, scientific study and
management to conserve and/or restore the area's
natural resources.
(#2) Provide public access that will not adversely
affect the integrity of the natural features and
ecological processes.
(#3) Provide facilities for environmental education.
Improvements:
Improvements must be compatible with the
preservation, interpretation and management of
ecological features and natural resources.
Non-motorized, multi-use trails (any surface
material) and interpretive signage for educational
and passive recreational purposes. Motorized
wheelchairs are permitted on trails.
Service roads (any surface material) for
management purposes.
Nature centers, observation decks/towers and
supporting infrastructure compatible with the
interpretation of natural resources and ecological
processes.
Improvements shall be restricted to the smallest
area necessary to accommodate required
development and use and to minimize
environmental impacts.
Public Access:
Not restricted.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ZONE
Definition:
Areas to be managed for the preservation, protection and
interpretation of cultural and historical resources. Cultural
and historical resources include properties listed or eligible
for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, along
with resources not eligible for the register, but worth
preserving for interpretive or other management purposes.
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Hierarchy Level:
2
Management Priority:
(#1) Protection of cultural and historical resources for
public visitation and education.
Improvements:
Improvements must be compatible with the preservation,
interpretation and management of cultural/historical values
and resources.
Educational centers and associated infrastructure.
Facility restorations.
Non-motorized, multi-use trails (any surface material) and
interpretive signage for educational and passive
recreational purposes. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted
on trails.
Service roads (any surface material) for management
purposes.
Improvements shall be restricted to the smallest area
necessary to accommodate required development and use
and to minimize environmental impacts.
Public Access:
Limited to public areas, trails and cultural/historical
structures.
SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT ZONE
Definition:
Areas where facility development and intensive use may
substantially alter the natural environment.
Hierarchy Level:
3
Management Priority:
(#1) Facility maintenance and management.
Improvements:
Improvements must support visitor use or nature preserve
management.
Typical improvements include: paved roadways, parking
lots, maintenance facilities, operational support buildings,
primitive camping areas*, boat access, fishing piers,
restroom facilities, utility easements.
5
Improvements shall be restricted to the smallest area
necessary to accommodate required development and use
and to minimize environmental impacts.
* Existing campground at McDowell Nature Preserve will
be allowed to remain as part of this zone, however, any
future campground development shall be of a primitive
design (no hook-ups or drive-to sites).
Public Access:
Limited to public areas.
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